A field of 22 and with a well-fancied grey as the early favourite - should be a cracker!

This post was designed to say we are off and running, but we have a false start.

Given how many are in this race, this could take a few attempts.

Image source, Getty Images

The first of today's two Premier Handicap races at Aintree is the William Hill Handicap Hurdle.

Current favourite Hold The Serve is eyeing for a fourth win on the spin following victories at Wincanton, Market Rasen and Kempton over the winter.

Sean Bowen is on the Olly Murphy-trained six-year-old, but faces stiff competition from the likes of Kaka's Cousin, Supremely West, Fortune Timmy and Absolutely Doyen.

In an open field of 22 horses, it could be anyone's guess.

We know that the Grand National brings plenty of new people to the world of horse racing so we're going to help you understand some of the terminology and jargon/acronyms you'll hear/see throughout the day and on the racecard and in our pinstickers' guide.

• 1-9 - position the horse finished
• 0 - if the horse finished outside the top nine
• - between numbers indicate season separation (i.e. left of this is from a previous season)

• B or BD - brought down

• D - disqualified
• F - fell

• P or PU - pulled up
• R - refused

• U - unseated rider
• C - has won on this course
• D - has won over this distance
• CD - has won over this course and distance

Other words or phrases you may hear include fav or fave, which means the horse is the the favourite for the race, and NAP and NB. A nap is someone's best bet (i.e their most fancied horse) that day and NB is their "next best" fancy.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Expect plenty of this throughout the day - famous faces at the races.

Wayne and Colleen Roney are among those pictured already today and with just shy of three hours to go, I'm sure this is not the last celebrity-spotting picture to make the live text.

Who do we think they are backing?

Jockey Mark Walsh, talking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It is brilliant when you are riding a good jumper - there is no better feeling.

"Everyone gets a lot quieter before the Grand National. The loud lads get quieter and the quiet lads get louder. It is great to be a part of.

"It is the one race I want to win. I used to come here with my father and uncle so ever since I've wanted to win the Grand National."

On his ride in the Grand National, Jagwar: "He ran well at Cheltenham, I didn't get the clearest of passages and he didn't jump brilliantly. He is a lovely weight, the cheekpieces will hopefully help his jumping and this track should suit him more.

"I just need to get him into a rhythm and enjoying himself and then you're just hoping for the best.

"He is such a big horse and I'm hoping these bigger fences will suit him and he'll have a bit respect for them."

BBC Radio 5 Live

All of today's races will be covered over on BBC Radio 5 Live with the Grand National taking centre stage with full coverage from 16:00.

If all the races are like the opener, we are in for a cracking day.

You can tune in by clicking 'Listen live' at the top of this page.

It looked for all the world that Salvator Mundi would take that for large chunks of the race but it was an incredible finish from Mirabad who would not be denied.

Great celebrations and a great start to the day for trainer Dan Skelton, who is well fancied today.

Image source, Reuters

That was an incredible finish from Mirabad there who steamed ahead of the favourite Salvator Mundi on the stretch.

A 50-1 winner to start the day. Wow!

Huge finish to the opening race.

Mirabad has taken the lead to the final fence!

All eight horses are across the early fences comfortably.

And just as I say that, Alnilam has pulled up.

Image source, PA Media

Favourite Salvator Mundi is running along nicely in the early stages.

A bit of rain in the air at Aintree for this first race.

The first race of the day is under way!

Grand National day 2026 is go!

Image source, Getty Images

The shortest distance race of the day kicks things off imminently at Aintree on Grand National day with Salvator Mundi the overwhelming favourite to repeat his Grade 1 victory of last year.

Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, he won at Thurles in February over two miles and two furlongs, beating Fishery Lane by 28 lengths.

After skipping the recent Cheltenham festival, the six-year-old will feel fresh and confident of a repeat.

We have a few non-runners to tell you about on today's card.

13:55

3 Came From Nowhere

14:30

4 Imperial Saint

5 Amirite

8 Myretown

14 Stolen Silver

15:05

2 Happy Jacky

Image source, Getty Images

We know a lot of you like to back grey hoses and there is one in this year's 34-runner field.

It is number 30 called Marble Sands for trainers David Killahena & Graeme McPherson.

The nine-year-old finished second in his last race at Wetherby on Boxing Day but won at Cheltenham in his previous race.

Tom Bellamy has picked up the ride after Kielan Woods, who was set to partner him, was injured earlier in the week.

• READ MORE: How do grey horses fare in the Grand National?

John Hunt
Horse Racing commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'm just sitting here reflecting. From watching it at home as a kid with my dad with the curtains drawn back, I'd place the Grand National together with the FA Cup final and the Wimbledon final as the staples of my young sporting life. It is such a joy to be back here one more time.

With just under four hours until the Grand National at 16:00 BST, here's how the betting looks:

• 8-1 - Panic Attack
• 17-2 - Jagwar
• 9-1 - I Am Maximus & Grangeclare West
• 12-1 - Johnnywho
• 14-1 - Monty's Star

• 18-1 - Iroko & Oscars Brother
• 20-1 - bar

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport Journalist at Aintree

These race cards will be studied long and hard today.

Also in the background, you might notice the gorgeous blue skies but let me tell you, it’s absolutely freezing and blowing a gale!

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, PA Media

First things first, we know some of you will still be deciding which horse (or horses) you're going to back in the Grand National at 16:00 BST.

Whether you pick off name, form, colours of the silks, numbers or maybe even age - we've got you covered.

Our Grand National pinstickers' guide to the runners will give you all the information you need.